Can the needs of layer hens be met in furnished cages?
Furnished cages were developed to improve the behavioural expression that birds experience in cages. They retain the benefits of battery...
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How could egg producers manage the change from battery cage systems to alternative systems?
Battery cages are completely barren – Hens in battery cages experience extreme confinement and behavioural restriction, without enough space to... -
How much space does a layer hen need?
For layer hens to experience good animal welfare it is important they have enough space to express normal behaviours like... -
How can free-range layer hens be encouraged to use the range area?
In free-range systems, birds’ use of the outdoor area is dependent on the weather, condition of the range area, the... -
Do layer hens suffer from bone problems?
Commercial layer hens have been genetically selected to lay a very high number of eggs, and are therefore highly susceptible... -
How can feather pecking be managed in cage-free layer hen systems?
Severe feather pecking is an injurious behaviour where hens vigorously peck at and pull out the feathers of other birds.... -
Are stress levels of hens in battery cages the same as those in cage-free systems?
There have been claims that egg industry-commissioned research has demonstrated hen stress levels vary little between cage, barn and free-range... -
Is the term ‘free range’ on a product label enough to guarantee good animal welfare?
Consumer awareness of and demand for higher welfare food is growing and consumers need to be able to make an... -
Can layer hen mortality, pests, parasites, disease and predation be managed in non-cage systems?
Mortality The main welfare risks in cage-free systems are the transmission of infectious diseases and severe feather pecking, both of... -
Why is it important for layer hens to express normal behaviours?
The ability to express normal behaviours is important to every hen whether they are housed in cage or cage-free systems.... -
What is beak trimming and why is it carried out?
Beak trimming is the partial removal of the tip of the beak, and results in a beak that is blunt or... -
What is the RSPCA doing to get hens out of battery cages?
The RSPCA is strongly opposed to battery cages and believes there must now be a legislative phase-out of their use.... -
What is the RSPCA’s view on battery cages?
For many years, the RSPCA has been actively campaigning against battery cages. Battery cages are completely barren – hens in... -
What animal welfare issues are associated with bird flu?
‘Bird flu’ is the common name for avian influenza (AI). It is a highly contagious viral disease of birds worldwide.... -
What happens with male chicks in the egg industry?
In the egg industry, the sex of day-old chicks is determined at the hatchery. Sexing chicks (determining whether they are... -
What are barn-laid eggs?
Barn-laid eggs are a good alternative to cage eggs, and a well-managed barn that provides enrichment for the hen can... -
What are the animal welfare issues associated with depopulation and slaughter of spent hens?
Spent hens are commercial egg-laying hens that are removed from the egg production system due to reduced egg production and... -
What is induced moulting of layer hens?
Induced moulting in the poultry industry involves artificially forcing hens to moult through manipulating their environment and diet to replicate... -
How are layer hens farmed in Australia?
Hens are smart, quirky and inquisitive creatures. Descended from jungle fowl, they still possess instincts strongly aligned with seeking shelter...